Prom season is right around the corner and for some, heading to the big dance isn't an option due to the high cost. But that dream to head to prom with a dress became a reality for dozens of girls in Erie with a prom dress giveaway at Collegiate Academy on Saturday.
Bethany Taylor, a Case Manager for Safe Harbor at Collegiate Academy explained where the idea stemmed from, "Students come to us saying that they were unable to attend prom or may not be able to come due to financial concerns. And so what initially started as a time was to come up as like 50 or 60 dresses. We ended up coming up with about 600. "
Students like Syriuana Wells-Brown and Makiah Ramsey were able to find gowns thanks to the event hosted by Collegiate Academy.
Syriauna Wells-Brown said, "So this was very convenient and it was super easy because this is my school. So I literally just came out and just tried on a dress and it was good because a lot of people don't do this."
All the details of prom adds up which is why an event like this helped many girls in the region.
As Ramsey said, "The only real option you can go to buy prom dresses is at the mall and that's like quite a distance, lots of gas money. But in school. It's like right here. I love that. There's so many options so easy.'"
After both girls found their dream dresses it was time to help other girls find theirs. "I love it. I love seeing their faces when they find one that they love and they try it on. They're just in love with this great feeling", said Ramsey.
Taylor knows how important events like these to girls all over, "We know that students have, you know, their basic needs and we as case managers try to meet that. But sometimes we also forget that these social events are so crucial as milestones in their lives. And so anything that we can do to reduce some of those barriers that students face were more than willing to step in and do that."
These beautiful dresses aren't just for students at Collegiate Academy. They're open to anybody in the entire region. And if you miss Saturday's event, there's more opportunities for you to come down and get a dress. Girls can set up an appointment all this week to come in and find a gown. If you want to schedule an appointment to look at a gown this week: email kwatson@eriesd.org